M O N T H L Y

ENVIRONMENT

iden

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

tity
I belong to
God, and
He loves
me!

FAMILY FOOD TIME p. 4 & 5

GAME TIME p. 6
GOD’S WORD p. 8
PRAYER p. 9
CREATE p. 11
BLESSING p. 13
Illustration by Anne Berry
 How 1
It’s as easy as 1 … 2 … 3 …
Start by deciding on a day and time that
works well for your entire family. It can be
an evening, afternoon, or morning. Just
commit to building this time into your family’s natural

to 2
rhythm. (It’s usually best to build this time around a
meal!)

Look through the HomeFront Monthly

and see what stands out. Choose one or

Use
two experiences that you would like to
incorporate into your family time this week. Don’t
feel burdened to complete all the activities at once,

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

but carefully select which ones will fit your family
best. Each month of curriculum provides more than
enough experiences to last you throughout the
month.

this Resource
3
Remember to HAVE FUN! Strive to
make each gathering unique to your own
family as you enjoy spending time with
God and each other.

Editor’s Note I was in fifth grade the first time I got my heart
broken. I was at camp and my “boyfriend” for
the week dumped me in front of all of my friends and said the meanest
thing any boy has ever said to me. He told me I was “pretty on the
outside, but ugly on the inside.” Crushed and humiliated, I ran to the
phone and called my mom crying.
I’ll never forget the words she spoke to me that In a world that continually tells our children and
day. She told me that no boy, or any other human for us that we are not enough, God tells us that He is
that matter, can decide my worth. She told me that enough. I hope this month’s HomeFront points you
boy had no idea what he was talking about and and your children to a Jesus who gives you worth
that I was beautiful on the inside and the outside and tells you that, in Him, you are enough.
because Jesus made me that way. She told me
Jesus determines my worth and gives me my
beauty, and I should never let a person take that
away from me.
My mom called out my identity that day. She
named who God had created me to be. I was, I am,
beauty, inside and out. She empowered me to claim
an identity that was permanent and true because
God had given it to me.
LAURA WEBER | EDITOR
the Tru Team | Costa Mesa, CA

© 2010 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church
and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
 ENVIRONMENT

IDENTITY
This environment highlights who we are in Christ. According to
Ephesians 1, we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, and
given an inheritance in Christ. This conviction allows children to stand
firm against the counter identities the world will offer to bring them
destruction.

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

Culture is constantly feeding our families the lie
of false identities. School, friends, TV, magazines, VERSE OF THE MONTH
music, and so much more are continually telling our
Memorizing Scripture can be an incredible
children that who they are is not good enough, that
practice to engage in as a family. But words in and
they need to be someone different. As we attempt
of themselves will not necessarily transform us;
to spiritually raise our families and redeem what the
it is God’s Spirit in these words that transforms.
world has taken, it is essential to be rooted in Truth.
We come to know God more when we are willing
We have to affirm the Christ likeness we see to open our hearts and receive His Holy Spirit
in our children as they strive to stand firm against through the words we memorize. Have fun with
counter identities. In a world that finds identity in these verses and think of creative ways to invite
shallow and fleeting things, the Truth of our identity your family to open up to God as they commit
in Christ is the only thing that can offer true these verses to memory.
meaning and purpose. 3
ELEMENTARY versE
“For he chose us in him
before the creation of
the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight.“
Ephesians 1:4
Pres/Kinder versE
“God chose us to belong
to Christ [Jesus] before
the world was created.”
Ephesians 1:4 (NIrV)

Michelle Anthony | Families

ROCKHARBOR Church | Costa Mesa, CA

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Sarah Markley
Family Food Time
Conversation Starters
Do you really know what your kids’ days are like? Do you know their “world”?
Do they know what your life is like on a day-to-day basis? Can they envision
what it’s like to be an adult? Do you remember what life was like as a second
grader?
This goes beyond take-your-daughter-to-work day or helping in your son’s classroom. And it certainly goes
beyond dragging your four-year-old to the supermarket. Sometimes it is difficult to really get “in” to the world of
your child so that you really know what it is they do when they play with dolls or cars in their made-up worlds of
trains or horses.

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

At dinner tonight, resolve to know the worlds of your children and allow them into yours. Try a simple activity
named Unique Stories. Each family member tells a simple story about his day that is unique to him alone. This
story must not involve any other member of the family. After the storytelling, take turns asking one another the
following questions.

How was your day different than

1.
any other family member’s day?

How are you unique or different 4

2.
From the rest of us?

What is one unique or special

3.
thing you like about (another
famIly member)?
Have fun talking about the ways that you and your children are different from one another and make it a
celebration of your individual qualities. But don’t be afraid to let it spark a conversation about how you are similar
and the traits you share as members of the same family.

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Laura Weber
Family Food Time
Recipe
When the weather cools down and fall settles all the way in, there’s
nothing I love more than making up a huge pot of chili and having
lots of friends over. This easy chili recipe takes minimal prep time
and tastes just as good reheated the next day. Grab your kids, make
up a big pot, and get cozy by the fire.

This simple recipe is quick, easy, and can include a couple extra little hands while preparing. So

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

take that time, and tell your kids a great story.

Easy Fall Chili (SERVES 5–6)

Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 1 ½–2 hours

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large white or yellow onion, chopped
4 chopped garlic cloves
3 heaping tablespoons chili powder 5

1 ½ tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
1 large (32 oz) can ranch-style chili beans, drained
1 large (32 oz) can pinto beans, drained
1 small (16 oz) can kidney beans, drained

1. Coat the bottom of a big pot (5 or 6 quarts) with oil. Add meat and let it cook for a few minutes
over medium heat. Don’t let it stick to the bottom.
2.When the meat starts to cook and break apart, add chopped onions, chopped garlic cloves, and
seasonings. Stir several times while cooking.
3. Once meat is almost completely cooked, open, drain, and add all of the beans. Chili should be
somewhat watery at this point; if it’s not, add a little water.
4. Bring chili back to a boil, then simmer over medium/low heat for ½ hour and taste it. If it tastes
bland, add more chili powder.
5. Simmer chili for another hour. You can serve it up at that point, or you can turn the stove down to
the lowest setting and let it continue to simmer until you are ready to eat.
This makes great leftovers, so you may want to double the recipe and eat it again for dinner later in
the week.

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Angelina Pavone
GAME TIME
YOUNGER KIDS One at a time, have someone take a card out of
the hat and try to guess who drew it. Take turns until
Who’s Who? every person has had a turn. For younger children,
the game can end here. For older ones, talk about
Learning about a person’s likes and dislikes tells
how God made us each unique with different likes,
you a lot about who they are. I know that my
dislikes, and skills. For a variation, you can have people
husband likes to skateboard and my best friend
draw themselves, or even draw their favorite food. Get
loves traveling. For this month’s game, why not take
creative with the categories, and have fun!
a night to get to know a little more about what each
of your family members likes.
Pass out a sheet of paper and some crayons to

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

every family member. Ask each person to draw his
or her favorite thing on the piece of paper, fold it,
and put it into a hat, bowl, or basket (whatever you
have on hand).

GAME TIME
by Stacy Igarashi

OLDER GAMES
6
Putty Sculpture
I love getting together with my family because there is always plenty of
laughter. We laugh about both the good and the bad of life. This month on
game night, try something quirky that is sure to give your family members
lots of laughs.

This game provides a funny opportunity to

create a new nose. Pass out Silly Putty to each
family member and have everyone face away from
each other as they mold a new nose out of putty.
Give yourselves about a minute, then turn around
and check out your new, crazy-nosed family! Pass
the mirror around and take time to laugh. This may
be a fun new look for a family photo! You can play
several rounds, or you can take turns sculpting a
new nose for each other. Remind your family that,
even though we had a chance to create new noses,
God took great care when He created each one of
us. He made us and loves us just the way we are!
Every time we look in the mirror, we can remember
that we were created in His image!

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Matt Barnes
Storytelling
It’s funny; I grew up in the church and went to Christian schools all my life,
so you’d think my identity would have been rooted in Christ from the
earliest age. I might have even thought it was. But it wasn’t.
I accepted Christ at the age of three.
i It made sense to me. As I grew older,
I did the things I was told a good
Christian did. I went to church. I was
pretty nice to people. I led Bible studies and mission
trips. I was the definition of a “good Christian kid.”
My parents thought so. My teachers thought so. My
friends thought so. I even thought so. But, it just
never felt real. I never felt different … I never felt
changed.
Now I realize this is because my identity was
rooted in what people told me a good Christian
looked and acted like. My identity was rooted in
trying to be a good Christian kid. All that changed a
few years ago.
After college, I became a high school teacher.
I loved teaching and working with high school
students. I worked an average of 75 hours per week
for three years. Yes … I was very tired, but I loved
what I did. My identity was tied up in being a good
Christian guy who was influencing the lives of kids.
(Of course, I was simply pushing them to be “good
Christian kids” like I had been.) Still, there was
something missing in this. And then it happened …
after three years of teaching, I felt God calling me
out to something new, so, even though I had nothing
to go to, I quit my job. I literally lost a huge part of
my identity overnight.
For the next three years, I wandered. I took odd
jobs here and there trying to find my new identity.
I tried to create my own new identity by taking on
different titles and roles. I tried “business owner,”
“church worker,” “consultant,” “volunteer,” “boyfriend,”
and “student,” but nothing seemed to work. With
each failure, God was stripping me of my worldly
identities. In the end, I wasn’t even sure who I was
anymore.
I was desperate and I turned to God. (Why do we
always wait until we’re desperate to turn to Him?) I
© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.
had nothing to give Him but my stripped-down and
discouraged self. So, that’s what I gave. I let go of
all I was holding onto and I ran towards Him. It turns
out, that’s all He ever wanted.
Over the next year, God began to rebuild my
identity. Yes, I ended up with a new job (or three).
HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY
I found some new friends and started a new
relationship. But this time, these things did not
define me. The foundation of my identity was
Christ. He defined me.
Jobs and relationships will come and go, but I
know who I am and that won’t change. I am a child
of God. I am a person who knows God and who is
known by God.
Each one of us has a unique story of
7
how we have found our identity in Christ.
Maybe this happened a long time ago, or
maybe you are in the middle of finding
this out right now. Wherever you are in
this journey, it’s an important story to
share with your children as they begin
to discover who they are. Make a point
this month to spend some time with your
kids and share your story (or parts of your
story depending on how old your children
are) with them. Who has God created you
uniquely to be? What has He had to strip
you of as you have found your identity
in Him? What has your journey towards
finding your worth in Jesus looked like?
Share these things with your kids and
invite them to ask you questions as they
embark on their own journey towards
discovering what it looks like to let Jesus,
not the world, tell them who they are.
 by Tyler Carroll
GOD’S WORD
I am a … Son of God?
Galatians 3:26–29: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves
with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female,
for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
How often do we get bogged down by measuring nationality, or anything, for that matter, is of no value
our own faithfulness to God? It can be easy to compared to our true identity found in Jesus! My job

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

believe the lie that our identity in Christ is somehow is not my identity. My friendships are not my identity.
dependent on what we are doing to please God. If I am a son of God, and that is all that matters when it
we are obedient and doing all the right things, we comes to trying to define my position in life.
probably belong to God. If not, our identity might Let’s not forget to read the end of this passage,
be in question. In Galatians, Paul is pretty clear where Paul pulls us all together as believers to
as to what sets us remind us we are
up to be sons and
daughters of God, If your children are older, in heirs according to the
same promise God
and he is pretty
clear that God does addition to the Remember made to Abraham!
God will use us to
not measure it by
the things we tend Verses, try memorizing literally change the
world and the course
to measure it by.
In verse 26, Paul says
Galatians 3:26–29 this of history because 8

we find our identity

that we are sons and
daughters because
month. Give each family solely in God’s Son,
Jesus. We don’t have
we have faith in
Jesus Christ. Wait
member an index card with to make this happen;
He already promises
a minute! Does this
mean we could
the verse written on one this to those who
identify themselves
be wrapping our side. as His children.
identity in Christ in
the wrong things? I On the other side, invite everyone to write “My
am afraid, for me at identity is not …” and to then write down other
least, the answer to identities that they are tempted to cling to (a son,
this question is often a daughter, a soccer player, popular, fun, a good
“yes.” kid, or anything else they can think of). Encourage
I will admit I them to look at both sides of the card as they
sometimes look at my are memorizing this verse as a way of reminding
job, friendships, and themselves where their true identity lies.
other aspects of my
daily life and say to myself,
“Today … today I believe I am a son of God … look at
what I have done for the kingdom!” The rationale of
this is, of course, completely flawed, as Paul is clear
that our faith is what causes us to be called sons and
daughters of God, not our actions. He goes on to say
that our only identity should be found in faith. He tells
the Galatians who were trying way too hard to define
“son” by their own standards that wealth, race, creed,

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Laura Weber & Jaque Becwar
PRAYER
Our identity. In today’s society, we are constantly surrounded by a
barrage of influences telling us what we should look like, how we should
dress, what we should buy, even how we should act. From television to
magazines to billboards, it seems impossible to avoid the “standards” the
world sets for us every day. Thankfully, there is good news for those of us
in Christ: He has created an identity for each of us and given us the power
to live it out on a daily basis! In fact, He chose us and knew the life He had
for us before we were even born into this world. He created us to be holy

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

… blameless … loved … redeemed … forgiven … wise … understanding.
He did this in love. He did this in accordance to His pleasure. He did it
lavishly!
This month, as you begin each week, make it a Next, read Galatians 5:22–23: “But the fruit of
habit to set apart a time for family prayer. Sunday the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
night might be a good time to do this. When you goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
gather together each time, begin your time by Against such things there is no law.” Remind your
reading Romans 12:1–2a: “Therefore, I urge you, family that all of these things are already true about
brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies each one of us who has a relationship with Jesus.
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this Spend some time praying that the Spirit would
is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform help each of you to embrace some of these
any longer to the pattern of this world, but be characteristics as a part of your identity in the 9
transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Then coming week.
begin to pray, inviting everyone to confess to the
Lord any ways they have bought into the world’s
identity for them in the past week. Remember, you
may need to model vulnerability to your children and
go first.

“But the fruit of the Spirit

is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there
is no law.” galatians 5:22–23

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Kit Rae
Traditions
If you saw the Storytelling
HomeFront Monthly, you may have
read my friend Laura’s story about
her parents’ blessings for her.
When she shared this story with
me, I was so touched by the ways
her parents intentionally spoke
Truth and identity into her life when
she was a child.
She said that her father would select a new verse
for her to memorize and focus on every year. He
would then pray it daily over her and recite it with
her each day before school. What I found most
significant was how she said these verses not only
sank into her as a little girl, but have also come to
shape her identity now, as a woman. In hearing this
profound story, I wondered what this might look like
for families today. How might this tradition shape
our children? How will their identities be grounded
in Christ and their lives transformed?
How to get started:
1
Start by asking God to reveal a piece of
Scripture to you. Be patient, and allow the
Spirit to guide you in this process. Identify
a time to share this verse with your child.
2
Share with him or her the meaning of the
verse, and about the journey you took that
led you to choose it.
3
Decide on a time of day when you can
recite and pray this verse with your child.
Allow this to begin to be part of your
natural rhythm and daily routine. Have fun with
this tradition and wait to see God honor and use
this verse in the life of your child.
© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.
Marriage
by Roger Tarabasi
In years past, we used to hear the
phrase, “holy matrimony” because
marriage was viewed as holy and
sacred. In a recent poll, high school
students were asked if they
believed that when they got
married, their marriage would last a
lifetime. Sixty percent said no.
HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY
Marriage itself is losing its identity
as a permanent union.
We are all aware of how important our identity
is, and it is no less so in marriage. We need to see
ourselves as committed for life as great husbands,
wives, fathers, and mothers. We need to see
ourselves in light of who we are in Christ, and who
He calls us to be as providers, lovers, caregivers
who are compassionate, kind, caring, and patient
people. The more we focus on who we have been
created to be (our true identities in Christ), the more
we will act out of those identities.
10
• How do you see yourself as a husband/wife?
• How does this compare to the way God sees
you and what He calls you to be?
• Which of the following qualities do you need
to start accepting about yourself?
 C
 ompassionate | Provider | Lover | Kind | Caring
| Self-sacrificing | Romantic | Encourager
Begin to ask the Lord to help you believe that
this is what He has made you to be. Pray for Him to
show you specific ways to demonstrate your identity
to your spouse.
Watch God answer those prayers!
Storytelling about your marriage is so important
to your children; they want to know how God has
worked and can still work in your lives. Tell them
over and over!
 by Ashley Otani
Create
Have you ever had the chance to
watch a potter?
A few years ago I went on a mission trip to
the Dominican Republic. One night there was a
gathering at the local church, and as the pastor
preached, he created a beautiful pot. The audience
quietly watched as his focus, close attention, and
carefully thought-out movements went into creating
this pot. Once he finished the first one, he started
on another. The second pot looked completely

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

different; yet, it still required the same focus, close
attention, and careful movements. Isaiah 64:8 tells
us, “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay,
you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
The Father has uniquely molded each person in your
family and that’s a reason to celebrate!
Pottery is such a great representation of identity.
For Create this month, why not try making some
pottery as a family? Here are some ways you can
do this:
1. Color Me Mine (www.colormemine.com). This
is a paint-your-own-pottery studio with locations
in many different states (visit the website to find a 11
location near you). They have premade pottery that
you can paint. They provide all the paints, designs,
and materials; all you have to do is show up and
create! Go as a family to Color Me Mine and pick
out something to paint as a family. A plate might be
a good option as each person can make his or her
mark on it. Another option is to let each person
pick out a piece of pottery and paint it uniquely,
reflecting his or her own personality. If you do not
have a Color Me Mine near you, do some research
and see if there are any similar paint-your-own-
pottery studios in your area.
2. If option #1 doesn’t work for you, you can
easily make a pottery studio at home! Go to a craft
store and get Crayola Clay or Model Magic. Give
each person some clay and allow her to create her
own pottery. Let it dry overnight, then take markers
or paint and design away!

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Ashley Otani & Tommy Larson
Worship
Throughout the past month, kids at our church have been experiencing
what it means to express themselves through art. Towards the end of
each service as we head into Respond, kids have been leaving their seats
and approaching blank canvases to write, draw, and paint all with the
intent of glorifying God. It has been amazing to see how kids choose to
express themselves, and also to learn about their understanding of who
God is.
This month, your family can bring this expression

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

of worship through art into the home. It’s actually a
very easy setup and doesn’t require leadership from
any one member of the family.
Start off by sectioning off an area of your home
using a drop cloth, a blank canvas against the wall,
different colors of paint, and brushes of various
sizes. You’ll also need to print out this month’s
memory verse (see p. 3) and have it framed in a
prominent position. Next, write the phrase “Who
Are You?” on the canvas. Finally, gather your family
together.
This month, we’re focusing on the environment of
12
Identity. We’ve all seen and experienced the counter
identities the world offers and the destructive paths
to which they lead. Talk together as a family about
those counter identities: What are they? Do we
claim them? Talk together about the difference
between what the world offers us and what we are
given through Christ. How would God identify each
of us?
Explain that this art station in your home will be
open throughout the coming month for them to
respond to what they feel God reveals to them
about their identity. They can also use this art
station as a way of expressing questions they have
for God about their identity. There is no designated
time to write or draw on the canvas. Let your family
know they should add to the canvas when they want
to. It’s as simple as that!
At the end of the month, gather together as a
family in front of the canvas. Read this month’s
verse, examine your canvas, and talk about what you
see. Then pray together as a family, acknowledging
your identity in Christ.

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.

 by Laura Weber
Blessing
Every parent has big dreams for their children. We want to see them
happy, we want them to succeed, we want them to have friends … and
the list goes on. These dreams come out of hearts that deeply love our
children, but they are often human dreams, and God’s Word reminds us
that it’s not our job to form our children in our image.
Our job is to point our children back to God and let them be formed in His image, to let their dreams come
from Him. As good as the things are that we want for our children, they simply cannot compare with the
identity that God has in mind for them. As you read this month’s blessing over your children, let these words
sink into your own heart as well. I hope this blessing empowers your children to find their identity in Christ

HOMEFRONT | ENVIRONMENT | IDENTITY

alone and that it gives you the courage to let go of your plans for them and to surrender to the beautiful
mystery of who God is creating your child to be.

Blessing
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us
in him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to 13

be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in

accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of
his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the
One he loves.” Ephesians 1:3–6

Each month, you will see a different blessing in HomeFront Monthly. This will be your blessing for the entire
month. Take the time to speak this blessing into the lives of your children at different times throughout the
month. You can do this on the way to school, before bed, or while you eat as a family. Just make sure you
have your children’s attention. Look them in their eyes and pray the blessing over them. Affirm your love for
them by placing a hand on their shoulder or holding their hands. Remember, God’s Spirit is at work; He will
bless and care for the growing and tender hearts of your children.

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yete, but
these family through
n will that you have”
y one I do know
wife of dre whom the Messiah would
chil childre
that the jail—and of ever
waitin g thing your
revealed.
nts &
kids) be
1 Thessalonians 5:11a
. An is g
interestinGod not al
thatmade
out (NIrV)
of it Throughout the biblic
that much him
tions
situa this story
sweet ph out d
Jose er.” pport ofkend
in a number
(for pare
Bible, God
ways., read
gh the 37:12–
throurefers
esisto Himself
ion
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t
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eme Su in Gen each
For instance: Godsect
PLAC
I Am, and wee Eternal,
rede of the YAHWEH.story
re this Joseph’s Each of just
t you ers
only situations is by the end
ONE T TO
One time, wha
He reveals
Inspire (for parents) these vaga
ntly.
r of Scrip
ture
mption ents.
signifi
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unt of attribute Atabout
1–49. that revie
ws
His character.broth ato
EW extra
the write vaga
nt rede garm the
accofirst 41:4
verse oftion ph’s doIn
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IED OU
g Genesisdid17,Jose
LYmeKN
him ph’s 36 and His aoh
I always felt as though that extra tion Jose times durin renews ques
of a covenant
t just before
Phar He
I CR .”
God had promised ways out this as, “Wha t did & kids)
“...I ON RN
sees with
a close
And.while
relationship !”.. made poin ts
point
to men ents five ey that think
a reveals Himself
such “Wha Abraham, God
pray Before this weekend,
GE ME
with my three it that much
ing a sweeter. garm journ rite child, read him?”asand “El Shaddai.” In
English, unt, read through the
kids. ged It’s amazingon a g
TO TU “CH
that was how Hemak to see y, a translates
do to to “God Almighty.” read the acco thisaskin account of Abraham and biblical
AN
fairly easily
always true and
with our oldest came
has been
ph chan ph goes
working in ents
her of a favoeventuall
throughout was ph?” to e time to hear
Surely, Abraham Genesis the birth of Isaac
her life Jose
through Jose
.friends garm and shocked that God n d som 17:15-19 and in
GOD, Whenchild
and youngest, Jose begi would
middle our the story on the and family.ner, a child at there you Spenpromise of you
Himfor your
read, ask your 21:1-7. After you
was a slightly
different story. seeing His power herseer , a priso s. I’m only ther Befo age family. Using t each ng child to tell you have
him takeinover life now,robe Whe God as aof 100.t wan athis
setti the their favorite
my daughter came seeing is that , an fine but what I’mon.
He was faithfulin all all was informing
mpti ther migh
havepower. toge
name, withpart of the story
He Abraham ofteHis engage and share with
quickly asserted along, she pretty her here. And slave
dressed of rede
along. got , we
He eyes ents He whatis Next, crea
alone them ultimate . favorite part. them your
herself as a willful now, through theesrelationship God
Him. God.willHehelp to hear
could be fun and child. She n with
ruler
that He’d promised all have stori ll in our e. Our garm been accomplish everything alone is table
to of your
sweet, but she We so long or sma from
ren that He are abou a bit childJUST
introvert and didn’t also nwasbega me
an to witness big ago, I get’stograc
God be ess
have accomplish. It’s they has planned ting toyour in
ren FOR FUN, try reading
like to open ratio
ed up s and,
to His workseem
they in her red life. by lessn a and joy. on child
age that your r
. Aftechild’s room. After you have
this passage
when she was of restoup much.
openEven resto and hope salvation redempti pass incorpora er
Gath to them
young,ess
proc I oftenjob feltthat , mile e. This of This moment est time. age just as kids
your God what read, ask
from her. So, disconnected
te area Godehas the beensorrow garments tell these storilives. es give We
holds
sugggreatthis
into weight
they thought when
TheI read all the remo y from hom He
only
phonpromises!power of God made the pass in our that, God all of
us.
promise they heard
gedto dothat of a God
to we e
and us tried alljob. The in aparenting books all that Thes an amazing
story
and read promise tell them s a 100 year old man that
nts) culo a the techniques. s awa have cell chan ren. reAbraham. own to ems wouldshow have a baby. Point he
pare a mira
would located year
Occasionally, ted from rtant child ren a
pictu show His covenant ther withhed, rede that out that it would
e (for required . At one
time see awasglimmer of , light not even lly isola I every so impo to our alsoone
to of the toge finis Abrahamph, He own led life likewith theiryour
our child em. They following be
Inspir faith journeyn at its corelost everthe
great-grandparents

Don’t forget the HomeFront Weekly: A resource to get parents and

g ingly whatdid could be, but, in out of
litera stories by Debbie you have
most significant Josemoments
ythin
end, I felt
seem
likell God was give Barnes rede ct, that history:show the starting point emed in your shar in e that Let them know having a baby!
ratio st sin. work.
en
townwould
I e, Ihave five days
sma to do the hope
, they e and perfe ct. They t rede of
a story
the family and that God has
the
My dad’sand resto who almo and hidd
could only be Ther ly for d can
mov are not perfe Jesus—pavin abou
wayseto our mpti
on line of anything! ren power to do
the mom that service. and fami
faithful to His
call to be reatt
ache who that we t bein
g s is not g Godg the Cho child
of
rescue a man foolish she needed. as He JesuIt islettin because of thisGod’s rede own salvation. ask When your
story
own s: er. my wife our kidsis not abou lived with abou t family ren. line that we hed, t the you the
he was of his in his word lawy
be aHonestly, me there s have aess.
are finis can abou that are finished, share with your
week. I felt aitalized es that had
felt at times, Jesu ine life rather it’s holin restored relationship child tions children
use story ted to hopeless. ed. I hosp little
d genu HisFather. Thus, n youwith God Tell them that what
Big they just
beca
Here
is his
grad
e I wan tice thriv anything
prac le in ardy
little
My daughter God and I nal piec r
datio had orde Getting Started
to avoi s,
storm
that a messing up, s-ups for
r mes family graphing
we are Whe ushered any ques
haveinto t God’s your
thestory.The
Bigof
The
a part God Story
d iswill hear more
t
abou in the Bible
heard is a part
of
e sixth one, my to hand
common the andfoun she —no t in Scripture: Genesis to neve those us into ifa faith they
or aboujust hear will hear it in that and that they
Sinc day ble kept
was
foolh the
to herself. ened mostly but 17, 21:1-7 redeem stretches around phcommunity that ind
church
them this weekend.
Close
I Jose time like
world—a ed in it It was me
from so, loos a challenge the globe. We they they by praying your
And Even Sintothriv
(Abraham and Isaac) and sisters from age have that
brothers . Rem just thanking
lives and
of the continually ded trust tothatallow every tribe pass y and weekend His their
promises. emed God for keeping
on top e my way. deceit. working
lfish He
d corro Main Point: God Has The Power to do All That andStornation.
al. God was family, our family, ch thisThis em He rede

kids talking about God’s Word together.

cam with t—an andindeni her life. E has the God to rede just like
that gled my hear ect , RS se it , Promises to walk alongside
unique
it in churopportunitying ph,
strug es of s of negl My daughter solid R VE t of one another in is work d Jose
and
en plac t in area appe
ared and is now 28 years BE old, nce ris designed to allow your family to
This resource of God Almighty. God true worship
We can live in redeeme
hidd l—lef ticelives on the lessother side
MEM
ou havecotime de He such a way
ing
in God’s Word before your children that the world
like meta my prac beco and ming of the country in nsi will desire to be
years was
our ey
mon
relationship is RE
strongerhthan va attend the weekend service. Because God’s with our God— you.
in relationship
For 20 rneath I with it’s my ever ot or plan co for The El Shaddai.
ssedbeen. I’m not sure nwhy ty is an parents to be the spiritual nurturers of
u
but
unde
untable obse me wait
made s o tiGod
“Dllment on ilitheir yofaith, we know that as you grow
acco and more promise, e. Yearshly for the fulfi biof this m thchildren’s
hu ttspiritually, of children Church
er chyour to will grow spiritually as well.
ly t also
less imag foolibut I do know that
ARBOR
more
and status and ly and which I am t in be
the waiting
ROCKH d.
hip with Reserve

s. Ea ot on s, bu ers.“
partners Right
. ed in leaders. All
with recklesstion in no more bu ers are develop
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© 2010
urces David C’sCook. TruResources
ks
of living a situaand cove
oth rsel look st h and aand children
chec TruReso national network of family are developed

tere of ot
C Cook. of family in partnership
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and children’s with ROCKHARBOR
ministry leaders.
caus scramble ped ringi
David network
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© 2010
filed g the
n in rests IV)
nationa
could yo and a
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phon uits
laws of this I was wife. ou
The
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me. In of practice t. No yo the in s 2:3–
and
trust my own was intac nning
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neith
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20
After of marriage my wife
was place Ph
ilip
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me, knew
25 year wanted I only nge
me!”
day.
ts and me that
clien ise me, to God, “Cha
to despcried out rescued
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hear
Himself

© 2010 David C. Cook. All rights reserved.